Dana + Mark's tied the knot in June of 2023 at the enchanting venue La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio. Their wedding was a tropical sea view celebration that radiated elegance and uniqueness. We had the pleasure of bringing their vision to life, creating a day filled with love, laughter, and a touch of Filipino traditions.
Their story began in 2012, igniting on Tumblr after a chance meeting at a mutual friend's party. Years of exploration through the museums and streets of New York forged a bond that would withstand a decade. Mark's thoughtful proposal in Central Park's conservatory garden marked the beginning of their journey towards marriage.
The groomsmen, sporting trendy sage green linen suits, popped rosé to kick off the celebrations. The bridal party, fully pampered in matching monogrammed silk robes, reveled in the excitement of the day ahead.
Their wedding style embraced a tropical, elegant, and unique aesthetic, mirroring their love for spontaneity and exploration. Above all, they envisioned a celebration where guests would be wowed, enjoying every moment in a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
The ceremony unfolded on La Mariposa's terrace, beneath a stunning gold circular arbor overlooking the vast sea and distant mountains. Their floral design held all the tropical vibes with abundant greenery and Costa Rican native flowers like birds of paradise, shampoo gingers, and snapdragons.
Wedding Playlist
Ceremony starts: A Thousand Years by The Piano Guys
Ceremony ends: Love on Top by Beyonce
Couple's introduction song: Celebrate! by The Jonas Brothers
Couple's first dance: Still Into You by Isabella Kensington
Mother and Daughter's song: Because You Loved Me by Charlotte Ava
Mother and Son's song: My Wish by Rascal Flatts
Cake-cutting song: Cake by the Ocean by DNCE
Embracing their Filipino heritage, Dana + Mark incorporated traditions like the Cord and Veil, Unity Candle, and 13 Coins into their ceremony. These rituals symbolized oneness, unity, and a commitment to providing for each other, beautifully intertwining their cultural heritage with their wedding day. See all about those traditions on our blog!
For Dana + Mark, marriage meant more adventures and, hopefully, creating a family along the way. Mark admired Dana's sense of adventure and kindness, while Dana cherished Mark's intellect, patience, and determination. Their relationship was a tapestry woven with spontaneous road trips along the east coast and unforgettable memories made along the way.
Monstera leaves adorned each place setting during the dinner under the shade, creating a naturalistic vibe. Long tables in the beautiful open air restaurant set the scene for a delightful meal before everyone danced the night away under the stars.
Wedding Day Menu
Hors d’oeuvres: Cajun shrimp with crostini, honey, walnut, and goat cheese, crispy calamari, empanadas, tacos, fried plantain rolls, steak kebabs, tenderloin fillet bites, and shrimp tempura
Appetizer: Mariposa salad and Costa Rican seafood stew
Main course: Chimichurri chicken breast, almond-crusted trout, and beef tenderloin with peppercorn sauce
Sides: Grain rice and sautéed broccoli with carrots and butter
Dessert: Chocolate dipped fruits, strawberries, and pineapple, chocolate espresso brownies, Samoas, mango panna cotta and passionfruit cheesecake
In the heart of Quepos, Dana + Mark's wedding embodied their love for exploration, cultural richness, and the joy of sharing life's moments with those they cherish. Cheers to Dana + Mark, a couple whose wedding was as unforgettable as the adventures they've shared for nearly a decade!
Filipino Wedding Traditions
In the heart of Costa Rica, we had the pleasure of witnessing a few of the many magic of Filipino wedding traditions with our very own newlyweds Mark + Dana. Their celebration represented a beautiful fusion of culturally rich traditions with the relaxed vibe of a destination vacation wedding. At the core of many Filipino … Read more